The childcare industry in America is facing a huge crisis right now, and we can’t just blame COVID for its near collapse. We explore the attitudes and policies that led to how things got so bad, talk to Angie Garcia, a childcare provider on the ground, and report on an exciting initiative in Portland, OR, that shows us how local communities can begin to meaningfully address this massive systemic problem. Resources:
 Read more about the UPNOW Portland campaign
Special thanks to Lydia Kiesling and Sahar Muranovic. 
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The Childcare Game-changer

The Double Shift is a newsletter, podcast and community created by Katherine Goldstein. Expect big ideas + solutions to challenge the status quo of work and care. Join us to find community around motherhood, equal partnership, and building a world that cares. Starting in 2024, we'll be releasing weekly audio versions of our newsletter and extended interviews for our paying member community on Substack. Join us! https://thedoubleshift.substack.com/.

The Double Shift from 2019-2022 was a narrative show to challenge the status quo of motherhood in America. Please enjoy our free archive of over 35 episodes. 

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I am very angry right now. In my community, I’m witnessing a fixable systemic childcare problem be cemented squarely on the shoulders of individual families, rather than those with power and resources collectively addressing a real need. My beleaguered public school district is waving the white flag of surrender to its working parents over our afterschool program. In this week’s audio newsletter, I’ll make a case for why we have to resist the dismantling of safety nets.  This is the last free audio newsletter for everyone. If you’re a paid member, you still have access. If you’ve loved these audio newsletters and want to try out our membership program, go to thedoubleshift.substack.com/listeners for a free 30-day trial. Now I want to change gears from fire breathing to recommend a few Substacks to you: I love the Substack from Lindsey Stanberry called . She gets personal with the people she interviews and it’s so illuminating. My favorite one of her series is Home Economics where people share al the nitty gritty details about what they spend money on in a month. Also has a Division of Labor series about household responsibilities among couples I think Double Shifters will love. Also, definitely check out I’m Walking Here by . She’s one of the original tastemakers in the mom space looong before momfluencers were a thing, and her newsletter is a great mix of common sense advice, analysis of current events, observations on parenting and parenting culture, pithy media commentary, unabashed feminism, GenX nostalgia, oddly persistent optimism, gift guides and recommendations. Members-only Hangout THIS FRIDAY!  I can’t wait for our Members-only hangout on March 15th at 3pm EST! I’m thrilled that two long-time Double Shift members will join me in conversation about how creativity and caregiving intersect, overlap, conflict, and interplay. This is something I’ve been thinking about a lot as my “day job” requires "creativity.” But writing doesn’t always feel “creative” for me when it’s part of my “work.” I will be joined by musician Jaspar Lepak and visual artist Ilyse Iris Magy. Whether you are also a professional creative, someone who explores creativity through hobbies, someone who’s shelved creativity because of your caregiving duties, or someone who thinks they don’t have a creative bone in your body, this will be an enriching discussion for us all! 

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Mothers are Already the Safety Net. Now We Must Be a Firewall. (Audio)

After all of the intensity of being a business lady and switching platforms in the last few weeks, I thought I’d change gears with this occasional beloved series on a wide range of things that make my life better. None of these are a substitute or solution for a robust social safety net or a society that values care, but they are still fun. Nothing in this list is sponsored, and not all require purchases to experience. If you love audio newsletters and what to try out our membership program, go to thedoubleshift.substack.com/listeners for a free 30-day trial. Recommended Links: *  Zuri Kenya Dresses * The DoubleTree Inn and Suites * Ukiyo Teacup * The Substack App * Locopops If you love the Double Shift, I think you’ll also love:  * Matriarchy Report: Journalists  and  have a great weekly newsletter focusing on solutions to issues around care work and family life. Their formats include personal essays, Q&As; with authors and experts of all kinds, as well as original reporting. I was honored that they recently featured my work at New America under the awesome titles 8 Great Gifts for Caregivers and Every Time Motherhood Radicalizes Someone, an Angel Gets Its Wings. Check out their great work and give ‘em a Subscribe. Making it Work: If you liked this edition of The Double Shift newsletter, you’ll love the thoughtful recommendations from  ’s great newsletter. Her taste is impeccable (or just very similar to mine) and well-researched, especially in the books department for both kids and adults. Also, I love that she makes great recommendations without being overly consumerist, which feels like a fine line sometimes. I think you’ll love it as much as I do.  

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedoubleshift.substack.com/subscribe

Eight Things That Make My Life a Lil Better (Audio)

In this week’s audio newsletter is an essay about Sophia Chitlik, who is running for NC state senate here in Durham, North Carolina. What excites me the most about Sophia is that she’s promoting a platform we need candidates from across the country to try out. She’s running on care.  You can connect with Sophia and read more about her campaign at her website, https://sophiafornc.com.  If you love audio newsletters and what to try out our membership program, go to thedoubleshift.substack.com/listeners for a free 30-day trial.  If you love the Double Shift, I think you’ll also love:  Therapy Takeaway: Dr. (who’s also the author of the wonderful book, Real Self Care) has a newsletter that tackles fascinating systemic issues moms in particular face but brings her unique perspective as a reproductive physiatrist to offer concrete and insightful solutions. I loved her recent post, How to Make Hanging Out Happen, which gives helpful framing on how and why we feel like we never have time for unstructured connection with people. She also offers great ideas for creating more “hangout space” in your life.  Platonic Love Letter: I recently discovered the work of  Sir and  and their wonderful newsletter devoted to friendship. I’m particularly taken with their 8-week Training Program for Friendship, which they describe as a “running club meets support group for friendship.” with prompts, action items, and robust discussions in the comment threads. Based on conversations I’ve had with Double Shifters over the years, building meaningful friendships is top-of-mind for many of you, so definitely check out and subscribe to Platonic Love Letter.  

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The 2024 Candidate That Fills Me With Hope (AUDIO)

Welcome to the audio version of The Double Shift newsletter, read by yours truly, Katherine Goldstein. Today’s edition is about my big financial decision to switch newsletter platforms, and what it means to “start over.”  I’m ready (with my face scrunched and my fingers crossed) to take the risk of asking my existing members to stick with me by taking a few extra steps to sign up again with their credit cards on Substack. I believe what I do is valuable. I want it to reach more people. I want to earn more money for it.  If you are new to The Double Shift newsletter, some recent posts you may enjoy are my two-part series: The “Every Family for Themselves” Fight for Summer Camp & How to Make Summer Better for Everyone. Or check out Millennial Dads and The Caregiving Praise Conundrum, Your Working Conditions as A Parent Are Unacceptable, or How to Make Friends as An Adult.  If you want more audio newsletters and want to be a part of our community, subscribe now and become a member of the Double Shift. If you have questions or need help with your podcast feed or membership, reach out to us at askthedoubleshift@gmail.com. You can get a one month free trial of The Double Shift newsletter on Substack by going to thedoubleshift.substack.com/listeners or click the button below.  

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedoubleshift.substack.com/subscribe

On Taking Risks and “Starting Over” (Audio)

For some of you, it may have been a minute since you've heard from me since we stopped producing episodes last year. But I want you to know I'm still working hard on all sorts of issues and stories about challenging the status quo of motherhood and beyond. Also, the Double Shift community is thriving! Today I'm sharing some highlights from my new report,  A Playbook to Transform How America Cares: The Care Movement’s Winning Tactics, Lessons, and Case Studies from the Pandemic Era and Beyond which I think Double Shifters will love. If you want to dive into the full report, you can read it here or download the PDF and read it on your Kindle if you're into that. And if you don't have time for this 60 page masterpiece, you can read the key findings here. Be sure to sign up for the written newsletter that's available to all at thedoubleshift.com/newsletter. And if you want to support this work and get audio newsletters like this one weekly, go to thedoubleshift.com/join. It starts at $7 a month and you get all kinds of member perks in addition to the audio newsletters, like weekly discussion threads, monthly virtual and IRL events, and more! Thank you for listening and I appreciate your support - xo Katherine 

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The Childcare Game-changer

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